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The problem is with the whole transport system. Introducing meter taxis always seems a good idea but it conflicts with the existing transport operators. Then when there's conflict, rather than fixing the problems there's some suitable Thai compromise.

Hat Yai introduced meter taxis a few years ago. First issue was with the tuk-tuk drivers, the meter fares were often less than the tuk-tuk fare and you travelled in a clean a/c cab. After various confrontations it was agreed that meter taxis can't pick-up on the street, you need to phone and book. Next was the clash with the AOT airport limo service, that operates a flat fare Bht300 from the airport to town, a similar meter fare would be half that. So after various fist fights the compromise was that the meter taxis operate on a Bht250 flat fare from the airport to town.

Needless to say after all this the Hat Yai meter taxis are that in name only, they never put the meter on, you negotiate a price.

Alas the curse of too much democracy and the complete lack of understanding of democracy and complete selfishness and fear of competition and free trade. operators have to learn how to take the heat when doing business 0r else get out of it.

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lived on the island long enough, never seen that sign. but yet not even a little surprised. they already said this metre thing since last december... if they were serious they would at least put up signs with a number to call if taxis refuse metres.

but then again how safe is it to get in a taxi of someone you pissed off by reporting them?

Whenever I get in a taxi, the first thing I do is take a picture of the license. I do this for several reasons, one of which is that if something is left behind, I know which Taxi I took. With that said, I try to never take a taxi, only Grab.

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The problem is with the whole transport system. Introducing meter taxis always seems a good idea but it conflicts with the existing transport operators. Then when there's conflict, rather than fixing the problems there's some suitable Thai compromise.

Hat Yai introduced meter taxis a few years ago. First issue was with the tuk-tuk drivers, the meter fares were often less than the tuk-tuk fare and you travelled in a clean a/c cab. After various confrontations it was agreed that meter taxis can't pick-up on the street, you need to phone and book. Next was the clash with the AOT airport limo service, that operates a flat fare Bht300 from the airport to town, a similar meter fare would be half that. So after various fist fights the compromise was that the meter taxis operate on a Bht250 flat fare from the airport to town.

Needless to say after all this the Hat Yai meter taxis are that in name only, they never put the meter on, you negotiate a price.

To be fair, for time and distance I don't find 250baht to be a bad price in Hat Yai and usually a very nice car. It can easily take 20m to 30m to say Lee Gardens on a good day so an hour round trip, plus his fuel and car rent. A suitable compromise as you said. Also GrabTaxi works well in the other direction - 180-200baht. The situation on Samui is far far worse, a taxi from airport to say bang rak which is a stone throw can cost 400baht+, 300baht if you manage to get one from the 7/11 and ignore the booking table girls, a motorbike taxi from greenmango to a hotel a km up the road 100baht flat.

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Do not need undercover cops, just have the police pull them over or waiting for them at popular drop off points and check the meters running.

Won’t work . They have them hidden usually so all they need to do is pull the cover off them anytime they see people checking and show them as they pass through the point . Then hide it away again and charge the customer whatever they think is right not what meter says. Plus the traffic at times in samui they would have plenty warning to turn them on before a checkpoint .

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I blame the tourists in part as they allow themselves to be taken for suckers. It takes no time to google up and find out some facts on Thailand it's culture prices and ways to get about with costs. Then when you arrive you should know what money you have in your hand and what to expect to pay for a taxi if you must take one. I like to use Baht bus but I always ask the price 20 to 30 Baht ok more then it must be well out of town.

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Whenever I get in a taxi, the first thing I do is take a picture of the license. I do this for several reasons, one of which is that if something is left behind, I know which Taxi I took. With that said, I try to never take a taxi, only Grab.